Divorce And Separations

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia's Islamic Shariah courts have appointed their first female judges - a move praised by women's rights activists Thursday as a boost for a judicial system often accused of favoring men.

FATIMA, Portugal - Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday called abortion and same-sex marriage some of the most "insidious and dangerous" threats facing the world today, asserting key church teachings as he tried to move beyond the clerical abuse scandal.

CAIRO - When women tried to join the bench on Egypt's top administrative court, the uproar from its judges was fierce.

ORANGE, Calif. - The wife of televangelist Benny Hinn has filed for divorce from the high-profile pastor, whose reputation as an advocate of prosperity gospel has attracted millions of followers and criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups over his lavish lifestyle.